George W. Bush to honor wounded veterans on bike ride
Former President George W. Bush will host a three-day, 100-kilometer bike ride through the desert this month in honor of servicemen and women severely wounded during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The event, dubbed the "Warrior 100," will take place from April 25-27 in Texas' Big Bend National Park. Mr. Bush will be joined by 14 men and women who were injured during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, in Iraq and Afghanistan respectively.
"I'll be riding across the deserts of Texas with wounded warriors to show the unbelievable character of our men and women in uniform," said President Bush in a statement released by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. "It's a 100-kilometer ride in the desert, and it's not a leisurely ride; it's a ride to herald people who were dealt a severe blow and said, 'I'm not going to let it tear me down.'"
The trek will be the first event of the Presidential Center's Social Enterprise initiative, which, according to the statement, "highlights the work of those who find innovative ways to help others."
Those riding with the former president include: Sergeant Sam Cila, USA (Ret.) of Riverhead, NY; Sergeant Andy Hatcher, USMC (Ret.) of Alexandria, VA; Sergeant Major Chris Self, USA (Ret.) of Clarksville, TN; Lieutenant Colonel Patty Collins, USA of Kileen, TX; Corporal Jon Copsey, USMC (Ret.) of Vista, CA; Colonel David Haines, USA of Louisville, KY; Specialist Carlos Hernandez, USA of San Antonio, TX; Lieutenant Colonel Marc Hoffmeister, USA of Fort Richardson, AK; Staff Sergeant Scott Bilyeu, USAF (Ret.) of San Antonio, TX; Corporal Josh Davis, USMC (Ret.) of Vail, AZ; Sergeant First Class Dillon Behr, USA (Ret.) of Arlington, VA; Staff Sergeant Kenny Butler, USA (Ret.) of Barre, VT; Sergeant Bryce Cole, USA (Ret.) of Cypress, TX and Specialist Jake Lerner, USA (Ret.) of Jacksonville, FL.
